Kertawijaya

Kertawijaya or Dyah Kertawijaya was the seventh monarch of Majapahit reigning from 1447 to 1451 by the regnal name Sri Maharaja Wijayaparakramawardhana.

Early life
According to Pararaton, Dyah Kertawijaya was a son of King Wikramawardhana. His mother was never mentioned in any sources. He had three siblings: Hyang Wekas ing Sukha, Prince of Tumapel, and Queen regnant Suhita. However, Noorduyn argued that four above was born from Queen Kusumawardhani. Prince Kertawijaya had held the title of Prince of Tumapel inherited from his older brother who died in the early year of 1427 until his ascension in 1447.

Reign
Prince Kertawijaya succeeded his older sister Suhita in 1447.

Natural disasters frequently occur during his reign including earthquakes and mount eruptions. One famous-one incident was Tidung Gelanting's killing led by his nephew Prince of Paguhan, son of Prince of Tumapel.

Identification between Kertawijaya and Brawijaya
Brawijaya is the name or title of well-known Majapahit king for modern Javanese people pursuant to some manuscripts written in the next eras.

A tomb of Princess of Champa found in Mojokerto with the year of 1448 led the Javanese believed that she was one of King Brawijaya's principal wife. In addition, the name of Kertawijaya as the ancestor of Raden Patah found in Queen Kalinyamat's tomb located in Jepara.

Another story told that King Brawijaya's wife was a Muslim's queen Dwarawati of Champa Kingdom. In contrast, Pararaton mentioned that Dyah Kertawijaya's wife was The Princess or Duchess of Daha referred to Jayawardhani Dyah Jayeswari in Waringin Pitu charter (1447).

In accordance with Sam Poo Kong's chronicle, the Chinese lady buried in Mojokerto was a daughter of Haji Bok Tak Keng as well the wife of Chinese ambassador for Java, Ma Hong Fu. It was impossible for her to be considered as the king's wife.

Other person who was considered as King Brawijaya was Dyah Ranawijaya referred to King Girindrawardhana, a son of Dyah Suraprabhawa (regnal name Singhawikramawardhana). His name had been mentioned in the closing part of Pararaton. Thus, "Brawijaya I" referred to Dyah Kertawijaya while "Brawijaya VI" referred to Dyah Ranawijaya.

Death
King Wijayaparakramawardhana Dyah Kertawijaya died in 1451. The king was honored at Kertawijayapura. Later, he was susceeded by Rajasawardhana, Prince of Kahuripan.

There wasn't explicit mention of the family relationship between the late king and the new king in Pararaton, rising the speculation that Rajasawardhana ascended the throne by killed Dyah Kertawijaya. Moreover, he was the former Prince of Kahuripan, the same as Queen Suhita was.

Another opinion assured that Rajasawardhana was a biological son of King Wijayaparakramawardhana whose his given name was mentioned in Waringin Pitu charter as Dyah Wijayakumara.

Footnote
